Grading machine



Aug. 17, 1943. A. G. B. METCALF GRADING MACHINE Filed April 23, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug 1'2" 1943. A. G. B. METCALF GRADING MACHINE Filed April 23, 194]. 3 SheetsSheet 2 Aug, 17, 19430 Filed April 25, 1941 A. G. B. METCALF 2,32 7,283

GRADING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Imam? Patented Aug. 17, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRADING llIACHINE Arthur G. B. Metcalfl Milton, Mass assignor to North American Holding Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 23, 1941, Serial No. 389,854

3 Claims.

This invention relates to grading machines such as are used to grade shoe soles, taps and other blanks of stock used in the manufacture of shoes, and more particularly to thewell-kncwn Nichols type of grading machines illustrated in a series of patents granted to Elmer P. Nichols, Leander A. Cogswell, and JamesW'. Johnston, of which the Johnston Patent No. 2,187,304, dated January 16, 1940, may be referred to as an example. A characteristic feature of such grading machines is that each blank is measured and graded in accordance with the thickness of the thinnest spot of the blank, or of a selected area of the blank, as determined by th detecting and measuring devices.

There are various kinds of grading operations performed by different species of grading mech anisms, and the term grading, as established in this art, is a generic term and includes evening orskiving the blank as a whole down to the grade or thickness of its thinnest spot, stamping or marking each blank with a character indicating its thickness grade, indicating on a visual indicator the grades of the several blanks, and sorting or distributing the blanks in accordance with their grade measurements. Two or more species of grading mechanisms may be and commonly are contained in one machine and the term grading is used herein in its generic sense unless some particular kind of grading is specified. Whatever may bathe kind orkinds'of grading to be performed the appropriate grading mechanism or mechanisms are adjusted through setting .and transmission apparatus in response to and'iri accordance with the thickness grade of each blank as determined by the detecting and gauging or measuring device, which acts on eachblank as successive blanksare passed one by 0 e through the machine The measurements are. usually made in terms of irons /48 of an inch), and the measurement transmitted to the grading devices is usually the thickness measurement in irons or fractions of irons which is nearest to but not greater than the thickness of the thinnest part of the blank as determined by'the'measuring device. In the machine herein illustrated only one type of grading mechanism is shown, namely, an evening or skiving mechanismjbut it will be understood that additional or diiierent species of grading mechanisms might be used, such as stamping or markingmechanism, visual indicators, and distributors, and all such-species are within the scope of the claims.

Grading machines of the aforesaid type usually include measurement transmitting devices which involve translating a linear dimension or movement into a rotational 0r angular movement, thus introducing the usual cosine error, the magnitude of which depends upon the degree or amplification of the transmitted measurement and the range of thickness measurements which the machine is capable of measuring. Although it is possible to compensate for sucherrors, either by elaborate geometrical means or mechanically, as shown for example in United States Patent No. 2,180,591, both methods arecomplicated and add appreciably to the cost of manufacture of the machine, the latter method being subject to the further objection that it increases appreciably the mass ofmoving parts, Improved apparatus overcoming the aforementioned objectionable features andproviding a' grading machine which is capable of accurately measuring to any desired degree of precision the thickness of sheet materialv over a given range of thickness, without necessitating adjustment or substitution of parts, etc;,'is shown for example in my copending application Serial No. 366,853, filed November 2-3, 1940;-

The aforementioned arrangements are purely mechanical and have certain disadvantages inherent in such devices. For example, the various above-mentioned"mechanisms are mechanically interconnected, which involves rather complicated linkages and transmissions exerting more or less disturbing reactive forces upon theseveral component mechanisms introducing unavoidable bulkiness and limiting the grading speed which canbe attained. r V r l v a The principal object 'of the present invention is the separation, so far as mechanical force transmission isconcerned, of measuring and grading mechanisms-by introducing a member controlled by and responsive to the measuring mechanism and a grading control mechanism which has its own power supply, for example elec trical motor means, and which is correlated to the controlled member for the purpose of moving the grading mechanism into proper positions as determined by that member.

' Other objects are to provide a grading machine notrequiring automatic feed; to provide a machine of this type whose grading mechanism is mechanically independent of any other mechanism of the machine; to provide an actuating force for setting the skiving mechanism of such machines, which force is independent of other motions of the machine and cannot exert reaction forces upon such other mechanism; and to relieve the measuring device of the mechanical work of actuating the transmitting or grading mechanisms, thereby insurin sensitiveness and grading machine described by way of example, 7

including the electrical circuit;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the embodimentof a grading machine schematically shown in Fig. 1,, as constructed in accordance with the present invention and including a skiving mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view showing the detecting means, measurement transmitting mechanism and associated parts;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of "the measurement transmitting arrangement; and V -Fig. '5 is an enlarged section :on line 5-5 Fig. 4.

The machine to be described byway of example of a device according to the invention comprises several apparatus groups, indicated as follows in Fig. 1. The b'lanks 'S are supplied to the machine proper by a feeding arrangement F, they then pass through a measuring device M, and are graded by a grading mechanism Ci; measuring and grading devices a e correlated 'bya :setting and transmission apparatus C. L

Feeding arrangement and driua-I'hefblanks S, as for example .shoesoles. are positively delivered to the measuringdevice M byapair of continuously-driven .feedrolls I.. i (Figs. 1,2 and l'). These blanks may be automatically supplied to the feed rolls byappropriatearrangements, as for example from a hopper from the bottom of which they proceed forwardly c. at a time. Such feedirgarran ementis .fcr-example,described in the above-mentioned copending application Serial No. 3665853. but-not shown in deteiliherein, since essential the "feedin of the blanks not :an feature of the present-invention.

Theiblank proceeds then Lthrough-thezneasurin device M .w-

caliper'ing irolls 2 which device will be described in detail below. Upon emergence from these rolls, the blank is confined bet-ween apresser as; supported from the frame by arms 52 and (Fi 2) and having-rolls i553, and a continuously driven cmiicgr'or,chain"'3 (F g. '-3) passing over 'lower'feed roll l and a sprocket on driven shaft Hie (Fig. 2) presser'bar is held downwardly by a spring 58 (Fig. 2 attached to -rod =57 whiclris linked tothe -b'ar, as

will be described more in detail below. 0h its way between presser bar and conveyor the blank passes a feeler M operating a control switc'hfllZ (Figs. .1 and 2) and is then delivered'to the rails 42nd e of the grading device G. I g

The conveyor chain 3 is driven by a sprocket wheel (not shown, at the ear of the machine) on a transverse shaft 1.85! .(F '2), on which is also fixed a second sprocket wheel (notsnown) connected by a chain (not shown) with a sprocket wheel fast on shaft?! (Fig. '2) of the lower skivin roll M. Shaftfl also hesffixed to it .a large gear wheel l f2) which d ven'by anothergear Wheel 1956 fa t shaft Ti." Shaft I8"! is the continuously driven main shaft of the machine.

The main shailt 181 has also fixed to it a gear (not shown) driving shaft Itflof the upper skirsprings 21.2.

ing roll 4 (Fig. 2). The upper horizontal stretch of the conveyor chain 3 occupies a groove or channel of the bed plate which supports the chain. The end of this plate toward the measuring devices has a narrow extension between the two calipering casters, its free end projecting close to the feed rolls I and I so that the horizontal stretch of chain 3 is supported throughout approximately its entire length, as more full hown in United States Patent No. 1,187,204.

The shaft I33 of the upper feed roll I (Fig. 2) is iournaled in boxes 2H sliding in vertical ways provided on the frame of the machine, these boxes being yieldingly urged downwardly by The upper ends of these springs bear against adjustable abutment screws 2. The continuously driven shaft of the lower feed roll l is journaled in fixed bearings on the frame of the machine and carries gears which mesh with driving gears on shaft I33 of the upper feeding r011.

Measuring device-From feeding rolls I, I the blank passes, as above mentioned, between the calipering rolls 2, 2 of a measuring mechanism.

The measuring mechanism 'herein shown-byway of example is -likewise described in detail in copending application Serial No. 368,853, so that it is herein only necessary to describe this mechanism as far as it is-essential to the present invention.

The measuring mechanism M comprises a pair of yokes (Fig. mounted on frame 1 for travel transversely thereof on four races with "balls 91 running in grooves 95 and 95 of frame and caliper yokes, respectively (Figs. 2 and 3).

The yckes have lower calipering rolls i upper calipering rolls 2, and edge rolls 101, these rolls being supported. on a bracket which 'is mounted on its yoke for'rotation about a vertical axis and permits 'up and down movement of the .vpper ca'lipering roll 2, on a spindle H35 (Fig. Dfwhich projects upwardly through appropriate slots of the machine frame (Fig. 3) Spindle springs I10 arranged between collars .159 .of spindlesIUB and rests IE1 o'f yokes 99 (Fig. 1), urge rolls 2 downwardly against the blank, and the edge rolls I'OI re urged inwardly by springs I I6 (Fig. 3).

Spindles I05 carry at their upper .ends threewheeled rotatable carriages I 25 (Figs. 2 and 3) running on grooves I24 of a transverse measuring bridge I20 (Figs. 1 and '3) which, together with links I2I and 122 and the machine frame to which these links are journaled, forms a fourbar parallel linkage system- Bridge I20 is at all times parallel to the path of the calipering yokes, irrespectiveof its upward and downward movement following the thickness variations of a blank S passing between rolls 2 and 2 The spindles I65 can move upwardly through carriage 125 without lifting the latter, but downward movement of the spindles under the influence of the above-mentioned spindle spring Ill! urging the roils 2 downwardly against the blank, will be transmitted to bridge 123, which cannot be lifted, or held in position by spindle I65 and the calipering rolls.

In order to retain bridge I29 in elevated position, a bracket (Fig. 2) is secured thereto which is normally held by a lever arm I3I urged thereunder by spring I32, The lower end of arm 'I3I is loosely mounted on shaft I33 carrying feed roll I; this shaft being free to move up and down as the blank enters and leaves rolls I and I When a sole enters between the feed rolls I and I the shaft I33 is raised an-a'mount equal to the thickness of the fore-part of the sole, elevating bridge I by'mea'n of lever arm I3I into readiness for receiving the sole blank to be measured. In order to release the bridge I20 so that it will be free to respond to the calipering rolls,

the lever arm I3I is pivotally connected to a link left (Fig. 2) when the rock shaft 55 is rotated in Hence, when a sole a counterclockwise direction; blank enters beneath the forward end of the presser bar 3' (Figs. 2, 3, and 4), swinging .the

same rearwardly and effecting a counterclockwise rotation of rock shaft 55, lever arm I3I is pushed outwardly from beneath the bracket i353, thus leasing the bridge I20. When the blank leaves the presser bar, restoring it to its'lowermost position, rock shaft and extension 52 are rotated in clockwise direction, thus permitting the spring I32 to restore the lever arm I3I to normal position beneath bracketISIl, since, when the sole passes from beneath the' feed rolls'the arm I3I drops to a level below that of the bracket I30.

The downward movement of the bridge I28 affects a vertical push bar I34 mounted in-guideways in the frame plate I (Figs. 1, 2 and 4).

The upper end of the bar I34 has a flat head i35 engageable with a roller I31 mounted on bridge Ito (Figs. 2 and 4). The lower end of the bar I34 has teeth I48 which mesh with pinion MI on shaft I42. The pinion I4I is secured to gear I43 which meshes with the teethof rack 444, which constitutes a stop bar and is slidably mounted in suitable guideways of the frame. spring 453 urges the bar 444 toward the left of Fig. 1, consequently holding the head I35 of bar 534 against the roller 23'? of bridge 525i. thus eliminating play within the transmission mechanism.

During the measuring of the blank by the calipering rolls the two spindles I65 will move up and in response to differences in thicknessof diiferent parts of the blank but owing to the fact that (due to the arrangement of spindle I95) only downward movementis transmitted to the bridge I20 and associated parts, the stop bar 444, constituting asetting mechanism, can pnly be adjusted in response to successively thinner spots encountered by the calipering rolls. I

' ement of the bar 444 to t right of Fig.1.

is i direct proportion to the 1m movement of the calipering rolls 2, 2a and hence corresponds to the measurement of the thinnest part of the measured blank. Since it is desired topreserve only the thinnest measurement, corresponding to the maximum movement of bar 444 to the right of Fig. 1, means are provided to lock bar 444. against movement toward the right-in response to thicker areas of the sole, during the period required to measure and grade soles passing through the machine, as follows. n I

The frame wall I35 has a chamber through which the left-hand end (Fig 1) of jects. An angular member I4 mounted within this chamber, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5. The inner ends of each wing of the member I are tapered as indicated at I and I50 (Figs.

l and 5) and rollers Itif and IiiI are interposed A tension between the inclined surfaces 150*, I50 and. the

are in contact with the inclined surfaces and the upper and inner faces of the bar 444.

In'order to release the bar 444 it is merely necessary to disengage the rollers from the inclined surfaces, and to this end there is provided a release bar I (Figs. 1, 4 and 5), the lower edge. of which has teeth I56 meshing with pinion I5! fast to the inner end of stub shaft I58. The outer end of shaft I58 carries an arm I59 which is pivotally connected to link 51. Link 51 is normally held downwardly .by spring 58 (Figs. 1 and 2) and thus maintains the locking mechanism ineffective so long as the rolls 3 of presser bar 3 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) are in their lowermost position. It will be noted that in this position the release bar I55 is held in engagement withthe rollers I5I and ioi 'so that they permit the rack bar [944 to be moved by spring 463 to the left of Fig. 1, to a position determined by the position of bridge 62%. When the presser bar 3 is raised by a sole passing through the machine, the rock shaft 55 is rotated, causing withdrawal of the release bar:

I55 from the rol1e"s Idl I5I and locking the stop oar 444 against movement toward the left of Fig. 1, which preserves the'minimum measurement detected by the calipering rolls 2, 2 So long as the presser bar 3 is maintainedin elevated position, the bar 444 remains locked.

It will be understood that the movement of stop bar 444 is directly proportionalto the thickness of the thinnest spot of the marginal blank area as determined by either of the two caliper ing devices. This movement of stop bar 444 may be several times the corresponding movement of the calipering rolls '2, depending on the gear.

ratios of the transmitting mechanism.

Grading mechanism-As the forward end of the blank, held by presser bar 3 firmly in engage-- nism, in the manner now to be described.

- The upper skiving roll 4 (Figs. 1 and 2) is-suitably mounted in bearing boxestflI (Fig. 2) to move in vertical ways $5? on the frame of the machine. Each-bearing box 54 is provi ed upon its'top side, as usual such machines, with a wedge block 65 (Figs 1 and 2) cooperating with a similar inverted wedge block 55 adiustably secured to the'under side of slide bar 53, as described in detail in the above. copending application and schematically indicated in Fig. l. skiving roll 4 is journaled in bearing boxes which are aiso are yieldingly supported by a pair of stiff springs, one of which is indicated at 69 in Fig. 1. a

When the forward end of a blank enters.

The lower mounted to slide in vertical ways and I tween: the skiving rolls- 4= and: 4. the: transverse" sliifi'w bar 6:3; hand ng previously been. adiustedi the measurmg. mechanism in:v accordance. with; thethtckness. grade of. that blankin'the manner." to described below, the up an" roll. t is lifited. its of wage blocks. or abutmentsbd engageand are stopped: by the: pair oil abutments 6E on: slide. bar 33- The d stance rolll 4i and; the; of t'he'knife: blade- (Fig, .1). 110W corresponds: ta the. thickness of. the thinnest spot. of. as determined by the: measuring meslianism and; determines. filte thickness to which the blank will be evened; or skived'. Thicker areas of the: blank; will force the lower rolil 4fi-dbwnwarzdly the'pressure-of springs- 69: and: will be Skll/TBCIL oif. by the knife 5.

Settingand' tfiomsmissiom apparatu'srThezshde' baa" F3: has a; rack of teeth 1a (Figs. 1. and: 2t meshing withza 475i. fixed to the upper end 013 a vertical. shaft. W2: journaled: in; bearings on the frame. At the lower end of shaft 432! is fixed. a pinion 1-73 meshing: with a rack #4 (Figs. 1 2- and. 4).. rack bar 41-4 is mounted. in ways 4 75* (Fig. 29 on the machine frame and: connected to a. grading con-trol'bar m which is mounted: to slide on ways in boss. ri s (Fig. 44) of the machine trame. connection is provided: by gear wheels. 4&6! and $58: on a shaft 4111. (Figs ll) and meshing: with rack teeth on the upper edges; oil bars Md and 5nd,. respectively.

A spring connects rack bar 74: with the machine frame-at. Lid (Figs; 1 and 2) urging the rack bar towards: the right of- Fig: 1 for the pur so or resetting-slide bar 63 to original position... po

Vertical shaft 412% (Figs. 1, 2, 3' and 4) has a further gear wheel; dis: meshing with atransversa rack bar 6E3: attacked toathev armature of. a solenoid 4.053 (Figs. 1. and 39 whose force is. superior to thatiof spring 4&5:

Grading control bar etc is. aligned with Stop bar :4 which. is setthe measuring device M. and: linked; by the wedge and roller arrangement shown in Fig! 5'; as above described. Solenoid 405i supplied with suitable. current from line a, b through a circuit mcludingswitch 412 (Fig. w

1').- which. is.:openso long as feel'er 4 i4: is'infraised position. A. blank which has passed through the measuring device M and presser bar 3- strfkes feclm H13 which closes switch 4:!2. th'ere y connecting solenoid: 89 to current supply a, b and energizing it. This causes rack bar iii-E1 to move towards the right, and grading. control bar 45.9 towards the: left of 1,. until: bar 4% t: meets stop. bar- 4 M. During thismovement the: solenoid has to overcome the force: oi spring; 4%: which, upon; deenergizati'on' of solenoid Add, is condition to: return; the: grading mechanism into normal position as soon as the latter: is released upon discharge of the blank from skiving rolls 4- and 4?".

Feeler 414 and. switch box 41.2 are movably mounted in aslot 413 (Fig. 3 which permits: ad'- justment of the position of the feeler' relatively to; the measuring mechanism.. Feeler' 41:4 is so positioned as to be engaged by the forward end of the blank. before its rear end leaves the calipering rolls. Hence the switch. 4-!2 comes into operation: before the'upper calipering rolls are released by. the blank. By the adjustment of switch H2. lengthwise on the frame, in slot 413', thelfength. of the part of the blank which i's torbe calipered may be varied.

After a. blank has been marked, evened or otherwise graded; it is necessary to restore the stop bar 441 toits original position ready for anproceeds beneath with the thenprevailing measurement other blank, withthe spring 463 under" tension.

This may be accomplished by means actated by;

44.4: and bridge 1-20 to their normal! positions. Akt' the timewhenthe: rear end of the blank moves out from under the presser bar 3 and the latter falls, the blank is between the: feeding and skiving rolls-- 4- and 4a.. Under: these conditions the: transverse slid-eban 6:3 is clamped immovably bythe pressure of the lower wedge: blocks 65 against the upper wedge blocks 66;. and therefore remains locked against. displacement until the blankis discharged fizom rolls 4: and 4. Solenoid 453 being atthat timedeenergized through open.- ing of switch 2; spring ms is free to. move the: skiving' mechanism into. normal position.

Operation-Assuming that a blank has just been graded and discharged from the skiving rolls t and dathapresser bar 3 will bein its de pressed or lowermost position and through link 51 hold the locking mechanism in released position; the feeler= H4 will be in elevated position, therebyopening switch M2 and rendering solenoid 50E ineffective; so: that spring Mines-moved the grading" mechanism into normal position.

The frames supporting the caliperingrolls 2 and 2= wi1l be held by their springs l I"; against the stop-s I 53 and: the lever arm PM will be in position to. lift bridge IZD upon the entrance of a sole between feed rollers I and l If a blank S is now fed i-ntotheni'p of the feed rolls 1 and l these rolls will seize the blank and advance it tothe conveyor chain 3 and between the two pairs ofcalipering'rolls 2 and 2 carried by the two casters swiveled' on frames 50", which are spread apart by the advancing" blank.

At substantially the same time when the ad'- vance end of the blank enters between the callpering rolls it engages the forward end of the presser bar 3" and swings the bar tothe right and slightly upward far enough forthe blank to pass underneath it. Thism'ovement of the presser bar 3 operates the locking mechanism IEQ-l 55 through link 57' and releases the bridge" IZti through the leverarml'3l This starts theeffectivemeasuringof the blank substantially simultaneously withthe entry of the leading end of the blank between the detecting and calipering' rolls, and therefore calipers the blank from its extreme forward end. So long as the locking mechanism operates, the measurement of successively thinner spots in the blank encountered by the cali'pering rolls 2' and 2 will be transmitted tothe stop band since it is free to respond to any downward movement of the caliperi-ng rolls 2, but any upward 2 in response to thicker regions of the blank will not betransmitted;

As the blank advances through propelled by the conveyor chain- 3 against which itis: firmly held by the presser bar 3, it next encounters and depresses feeler' M l, thereby closingswitch H2 and energizing solenoid as. The solenoid thereupon moves rack bar 493 to the right and grading control bar 4-95 to the left of Fig, 1, until the control bar meets stopbar 444. At the same time; slide bar 63' and hence the grading mechanism are adjusted in accordanceof the the machine,

movement of calipering rolls determined by either of the two calipering devices.

If any variations in thickness of the blank are subsequently encountered by the calipering rolls 2, 2 in that part of the blank which has not yet passed between the calipering rolls, such variations will not afiect the measurement setting and transmission mechanisms, since the stop bar 444 cannot be further adjusted because it is now held between the locking device l50i 55 and the solenoid 406, whose force is stronger than that of spring 465. This'condition also prevents any further lowering of bridge I26 in response to thinner areas encountered in the blank after the forward end of the blank has passed ieeler 3 I l.

The blank next enters between the feeding and skiving rolls 4 and 4 whose abutment wedge blocks 65 were adjusted by the slide bar 63 according to the ascertained grade measurement when solenoid 400 was actuated, and the blank is skived or evened down by the knife blade 5 to a uniform thickness corresponding to the ascertained measurement of its thinnest spot.

"When the rear or trailing end of the blank passes feeler M4, the latter opens switch 412 and deenergizes solenoid 180. This, however, will not disturb the adjustment of the grading devices since, as already explained, the slide bar 63 will be held against displacement by the clamping of the wedge blocks 65 and 66 so long as a blank is between the rolls 4 and 4 After the blank has been discharged from between the skiving rolls 4 and 4 it is withdrawn either manually or automatically, and the cycle of operations just described is repeated with re-' spect to the next succeeding blank.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the I appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a grading machine wherein a controlled member is caused to assume "different positions corresponding to grades, grading means, a grading control mechanism for adjusting said grading means, andelectric motor means for moving said grading control mechanism into positions determined by said controlled member.

2. In a grading machine wherein a controlled member is caused to assume different positions corresponding to grades of blanks of stock successively passing through the machine, grading means, a grading control mechanism for adjusting said grading 'means, electric motor means for moving said grading control mechanism into positions determined by said controlled member,

switch means for energizing said motor means, and feeler means for operating said switch means when a blank passes a predetermined point in its path through the machine.

3. In a grading machine wherein a unidirectionally hiftable stop member is caused to assume'difierent positions corresponding to diminishing grades, grading means, a grading control mechanism for adjusting said grading means having a control member whose position can be determined by contact with said stop member, and electric motor means for moving said control member into contact with said stop member.

, ARTHUR G. B. METCALF. 

